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Osama bin Laden's Declaration of War

Written in 1996. Translated by the CTC at West Point Military Academy. Minor errors that resulted in poor English, at the fault of the translators themselves, have been corrected to prevent giving an unfairly skewered view of the author.

166758Declaration of Jihad Against the Americans Occupying the Land of the Two Holiest Sites.Osama bin Laden

{O ye who believe! Fear Allah as He should be feared, and die not except in a state of Islam},

{O mankind! Reverence your Guardian-Lord, Who created you from a single Person, created of like nature, His mate, and from them twain scattered (like seeds) countless men and women-fear Allah, through Whom ye demand your mutual (rights), and (reverence) the wombs (that bore you): for Allah ever watches over you}. {O ye who your conduct whole and sound and forgive you your sins: He who obeys Allah and His messenger has already attained the highest achievement}.

Praise be to Allah Who said: {I only desire (your) betterment to the best of my power; and my success (in my task)}. [Hud:88].

Praise be to Allah Who said: {Ye are the best of peoples, evolved for mankind, enjoying what is right, forbidding what is wrong, and believing in Allah}. [Al’Imran: 110].

Peace and Prayers be upon His servant and messenger who said: “The people are close to an all encompassing punishment from Allah if they see the oppressor and fail to restrain him”.

[Prophetic tradition said by Abu Dawud, al-Tarmathy and al-Nisa’i].

Here thereafter:
It is not concealed from you that the people of Islam had suffered from aggression, iniquity and injustice imposed on them by the Jewish-Christian alliance and their collaborators to the extent that the Muslims’ blood became the cheapest and their wealth and assets looted by the hands of the enemies. Their blood was spilled in Palestine and Iraq. The horrifying pictures of the massacre of Qana, in Lebanon are still fresh in our memory. Massacres took place in Tajikistan, Burma, Kashmir, Assam, Philippine, Fattani, Ugadin, Somalia, Eritrea, Chechnya and in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Massacring Muslims that sent shivers in the body and shook the conscience. All of that happened and the world watched and heard, and not only did not respond to these atrocities, but also with a clear conspiracy between America and its allies prevented the weaklings from acquiring arms to defend themselves by using the United Nations as a cover. Muslims became aware that they were the main targets of the Jewish-Crusader alliance of aggression. The false propaganda regarding human rights have vanished under the tribulations and massacres that were committed against Muslims everywhere.

This last aggression was the worst catastrophe that was inflicted upon the Moslems since the death of the Prophet. That is, the occupation of the land of the two holiest sites, Islam’s own grounds, the cradle of Islam, source of the Prophet’s mission, site of the Ka’bah was launched by the Christian army of the Americans and their allies.

There is no power and no strength save in God.

In light of these facts and the reality we live in, in light of this blessed and overwhelming awakening that swept the world, the Islamic world in particular, I meet with you today after a long absence imposed by the unjust Crusade under the leadership of America against the Islam scholars, fearing stirring up the Islamic Nation against its enemies as was guided by ancestoral scholars, like Ibn Tamimah and al-Iz Bin Abd-al-Salam, may Allah bless their souls. We do not justify anyone above God. They [alliance] murdered the Mujahid Sheikh/Abdallah Azzam and arrested the Mujahid Sheikh/Ahmad Yasin. In the path of the prophet; praise and prayers be upon him, and Mujahid Sheikh/ Omar Abd-al-Rahman in America as well as many scholars, preachers and youth that were arrested in the land of the two Holiest sites upon the instructions of America. Most prominent were Sheikh/Salman al-Udah and Sheikh Safar al-Hawali. There is no power and no strength save by God. We were affected by some of that injustice by barring us from speaking with the Muslims, while being hunted in Pakistan, Sudan and Afghanistan; which caused our long absence. But by the grace of God there was a safe haven in Khurasan, under the protection of Hindukush Mountains. These mountains where e the World’s most powerful military and apostates were crushed, and where the legend of the great forces dissipated in front the cries of the Mujahideen.

God is Most Great. Today, from the same shelters in Afghanistan, we are working to lift off the injustice that was inflicted upon the nation by the Jewish-Crusaders alliance, especially after their occupation of the Prophet’s land, praise and peace be upon him, and their desecration of land of the two holiest sites. We ask Allah to grant us victory. He is the defender and the almighty.

Today we start talking, working and remembering to search for ways to reform whatever happened to the Islamic world in general, land of the two holiest sites in particular. We want to study all possible ways that can be established to restore the situation back to its origin and the rights to their owners, after what happened to the people from great misfortune and serious harm concerning their religion and worldly existence. People from all walks of life were stricken: civilians, military and security personnel, officials, merchants, young and old, school and university students, thousands of unemployed university graduates, who make up great number in society.

It also struck Industrial and agriculture groups, urbanites, nomads and desert inhabitants.

Everyone is complaining about everything. The situation in the land of the two holy places became like a gigantic volcano ready to erupt, so it can annihilate the infidelity and corruption no matter where the source comes from. Riyadh and Khubar explosions were only a warning to this roaring flood, which was caused by suffering, bitter suppression, subjugation, excessive injustice, degrading oppression and poverty.

People are fully concerned about their every day livelihood, every one talks about the deterioration of the economy, inflation, high cost of living, ever-increasing debts, and prisons full of inmates. These employees are with limited income, talk about their debts of ten thousands and hundred thousands of Riyals. They complain that the value of the Riyal is greatly and continuously deteriorating against other major currencies. Even leading merchants and contractors talk about hundreds and thousands of million Riyals owed to them by the government.

More than three hundred forty billions Riyals are owed by the government to the people, in addition to the daily-accumulated interest, let alone the foreign debt. People ask and wonder whether we are really the largest oil exporting country! They even feel and believe that this situation is punishment and curse put on them by Allah for their silence against the injustice, oppressive and illegitimate behavior and measures of the ruling regime. Most conspicuous is ignoring the divine Shari’ah law depriving people from their legitimate rights and allowing the Americans to occupy the land of the two holiest sites, and the unjust imprisonment of the devoted scholars and the successors of the prophet. Scholars, preachers, merchants, economists and dignitaries became aware of this great misfortune; every group did what they could and oved fast to correct the situation. All agreed that the country is heading toward a great catastrophe, the extent of which is not known except by Allah. One senior merchant said [the king is leading the country to a disaster]. There is no power and no strength save in God.

Numerous princes share with the public their feelings, privately expressing their concerns and objecting to the corruption, repression and intimidation taking place in the country.

Rivalry among the influential princes over personal interest and gains had destroyed the country.

Through its course of actions, the regime has ripped apart its legitimacy the most important being:

Suspension of Islamic laws, and replacing it with statuary laws and embarking upon bloody confrontation with devoted scholars and righteous youths. We do not justify anyone above God.

Failure of the regime to protect the country, and allowing the enemy of Crusaders-American forces to occupy the land years present the main reason for our disaster in every aspect, especially economically. Because of the wasteful government spending, the imposed economic policies such as limiting the production of oil and controlling its selling price, and the high cost of arm deals, the people started wondering why does this regime exist?

Every group did its utmost to move swiftly to avert this deteriorating situation. They advised the government both privately and openly, in prose and in poetry, jointly and separately, they send letters and poems, reports after reports, reminders after reminders; they explored every way and enlist every influential person in their movement of reform and correction. They wrote with style of passion, diplomacy and wisdom asking for corrective measures and repentance from great wrongdoings and corruption that had engulfed even the basic principles of the religion and the legitimate rights of the people. But unfortunately and to our deepest regret the regime refused to listen to the people accusing them of being ridiculous and silly. The matter got worse as previous wrongdoings were followed by mischiefs of greater magnitudes. All of this took place in land of the two holiest sites!! Silence was no longer permissible nor connivance became unacceptable.

When the transgression reached this magnitude; and exceeded the limits of atrocity to contradict the solemn Islam, a group of scholars and preachers became fed up with the deafening sounds of deception and blinded their eyes from viewing bribery and blocked their noses from smelling corruption. Rejection vows were revived and demands for preventing the situation from deteriorating became loud. Dozens of educated dignitaries, merchants, and former officials joined in. They dispatched letters and memos to the king calling for reform. In 1411H, and during the Gulf war, a letter with over 400 signatures was sent to the king demanding reform, lifting oppression and the implementation of corrective measures. The king humiliated the people and ignored the letters. The bad situation of the country became even worse. The counselors resubmitted letters and memos once again. One particular report was handed over to the king in Muharram 1413H, which tackled the problem, pointed out the ailments and prescribed the remedy in an original, righteous and scientific style. It described the gaps and drawbacks in the philosophy of the regime and suggested the required course of action and remedy. The report described the intimidation and harassment suffered by the leaders of the society, the scholars, chiefs of tribes, merchants, academic teachers and other eminent individuals.

It also spelled out the situation of the law in the country and the arbitrary declaration of what is lawful and unlawful regardless of the Shari’ah as instituted by Allah.

The report mentioned the state of the media and the presse that became tools for hiding the truth and spreading misinformation.. The media carried out the plan of the enemy of idolizing cult of certain people and spreading atrocity among the believers to repel the people away from their faith and religion. Almighty Allah said: {Those who love (to see) scandal published broadcast among believers, will have a grievous Penalty in this life and in the Hereafter: Allah knows, and ye know it} [Al Nur, verse 19].

The report also covered the Abuse and confiscation of human rights, as well as, the administrative situation that is ruled by incapable individuals and the widespread of corruption.

The report went on to cover the financial and economical situation of the country and the frightening future in view of the enormous amount of debts and interest owed by the government, while imposing more custom duties, taxes and usury on the nation. (It was said that: if a woman committed adultery and repented: And have been punished: Her repentance and forgiveness would be granted to such a toll holder if he repented as well) [Said by Ahmad]. That shows how grave the sin of those who deal with usury is. Some people still preach from the pulpits for the toll holder and usury, which is blasphemy. There is no power and no strength save by God.

The report also discussed the miserable situation of the social services and infrastructure, especially the water service and supply, the basic requirement of life.

It also pointed out the state of the ill trained, ill-prepared army and the impotence of its commander in chief, despite the incredible amount of money that was spent on the army.

As for the judiciary, the Shari’ah law was suspended and statuary laws were used instead.

As far as the foreign policy is concerned; the report exposed not only how this policy had disregarded the Islamic issues and ignored the Muslims, but also how help and support were provided to the enemy against the Muslims –cases like Gaza and Jericho- and the communists in South Yemen are still fresh in the memory, plus others.

According to scholars, it is known to every one that applying statuary laws and supporting the unbelievers against Muslims are considered contradictory to the teachings of Islam. God said: {If any do fail to judge by [the light of] what Allah Hath revealed, they are [no better than] unbelievers}. [Al Ma’idah: 44]. Almighty Allah also said {But no, by the Lord, they can have no (real) Faith, until they make thee judge in all disputes between them, and find in their souls no resistance against they decisions, but accept them with the fullest conviction}. [Al Nisa’: 65].

Although the memorandum presented all that with leniency and friendliness, reminiscing of God, preaching for kindness, in a courteous and truthful style, and despite the importance of consultation in Islam and its necessity for those who rule people to apply it, and despite the number and stature of the signatories of this memorandum, all of that did not intercede with the plea. The contents were met with rejection and discouragement. The signatories and sympathizers were met with punishment and imprisonment.

It became clear that the preachers’ and reformers’ desire and eagerness was to pursue peaceful means for the sake of the country’s unity and to prevent bloodshed of the people. So why does the regime block all means of peaceful reform and force people towards armed action? It became the only solution that wes left for people to lift the oppression and institute justice and truth. In whose interest do [Prince Sultan and Prince Nayif] involve the country and its people in a internal war that would destroy us all? They ask for help and advise from people who started the domestic riots in their country. Mobilized the police to abort the reform movement. Segregate and plot against the people, with the help of these traitors. The main enemy of the region – the Jewish-American coalition - remained safe and secure while the people’s wealth was depleted.

People could not tolerate the Minister of Interior’s [Prince Naif] adviser, because of his unjust and oppressive tactics, so he was discharged from his position, but [Prince Naif] welcomed him back to assist him with his offenses and aggression. He filled the prisons with the elite members of the nation, mothers cried for the false accusations, vilification and imprisonment of their children. Does the regime want to stir people against each other, civilians and military, like what happened in some neighboring countries? There is no doubt that this is the policy of the Jewish-American alliance- as they are the beneficiaries of that. But by the grace of God the majority of the civilian and military population are aware of this vicious scheme. They would aspire to use this as a tool to instigate internal strife in order to implement the main enemy’s American-Jewish alliance policy through its authorized agent in Saudi Arabia.

Therefore everyone agreed that [The shadow can not become straight if the rod is crooked]. Thereupon it is inevitable to concentrate on hitting the main enemy that led the country to spinning and maze modes for decades, after dividing it to many and petty states. Whenever a reform movement emerged in the Islamic countries, the –Jewish Crusade alliance– would push their agents rulers in the region to deplete and abort this reform movement by using many means with what they see fit. Some times they abort their efforts by armed encounter, by specifying the time and place of battle, where they nip it in the bud. Sometimes men from Ministry of Interior who have graduated from religious academies would derange and disperse the reformative demonstrations. Sometimes they would ask some righteous people to engage in verbal warfare with scholars and symbols of the reformative movement, so they can exhaust everyone’s energy and keep the infidels in control the country. The discussions would continue, while monotheism of God in worshipping and obeying His Islamic law are absent from reality. In light of these discussions and arguments the truth becomes ambiguous and confusing. Many times discussions end up in personal feud; people would take sides, which causes more division among them and increases their weakness. Priorities in the Islamic work have disappeared; therefore caution must be taken towards these devilish tricks, which are carried out by Ministry of Interior. The right thing to do in this prevailing situation is what the scholars decided, like what sheikh [Ibn Tamimah] may Allah bless his soul; said: “all Muslims should join forces to drive back the infidelity, which controls the Islamic world”. Putting up with minimum harm for the sake of driving back the biggest harm, which is the great infidelity. Driving back the American occupier enemy is the most essential duty after faith. There is nothing more important than that, as the scholars have determined, and what sheikh [Ibn Tamimah] have mentioned: if there is more than one duty to be carried out, then the most important one should receive priority. Clearly after Belief there is no more important duty than pushing the American enemy out of the Holy land...If it is not possible to push back the enemy except by a collective movement of the Muslim people, then there it is a duty of the Muslims to ignore the minor differences among themselves. The ill effect of ignoring these differences, at a given period of time, is much less than the ill effect of the occupation of the Muslims’ land by the main infidels.

If it is not possible to fight except with the help of non righteous military personnel and commanders, then there are two possibilities: either fighting will be ignored and the others, who pose a great danger to this life and religion, will take control of the two dangers and implementing most, though not all, of the Islamic laws, or put foreword man-made laws that have been forbidden by Allah, such as usury and other matters. Banks dealing in usury are competing for lands, with the two Holiest places; and declaring war against Allah by disobeying His orders: (But Allah permitted trade and forbade usury) [Al Baqarah: 275]. Be careful of your duty to Allah and relinquish what remains from usury. Almighty Allah said: (O ye who believe!

Fear Allah, and give up what remains of your demand for usury, if ye are indeed believers. If ye do it not, take notice of war from Allah and His Messenger: But if you turn back, ye shall have your capital sums; deal not unjustly, and ye shall not be dealt with unjustly)[Al Baqarah 278-279]. This is for the Muslim, who deals in usury, what is it then to the person who makes himself a partner and equal to Allah, legalizing usury and other sins, what has been forbidden by Allah.

Under such circumstances, to push the enemy the greatest infidel out of the country is a prime duty. No other duty after Belief is more important than the duty of Jihad. Utmost efforts should be made to prepare and instigate the nation against the enemy, the American-Israeli alliance occupying the country of the two holiest sites, and the root of the Messenger [Allah’s Blessings and Salutations may be upon him]. Also to remind the Muslims not to engage in an internal war among themselves, as that will have grieve consequences, namely:

Attrition of Muslims human resources as most casualties and fatalities will be among the Muslims.

Attrition of economic and financial resources.

Destruction of the country’s infrastructure.

Disintegrating the society.

Destruction of the oil industries because of the presence of the American-Crusader military forces in the Islamic Gulf States thus threatening the largest oil reserves in the world. The economies of the Gulf States and the land of the two holiest sites will be damaged and even a greater damage will be caused to the world economy. I would like to alert my brothers, the Mujahideen, the sons of the nation, to protect this wealth and not to include it in the battle, as it is a great Islamic wealth, and a large economic power essential for the; by Allah’s blessings and grace. We also warn the aggressors, the USA, against burning this Islamic wealth at the end of the war, to prevent it from falling in the hands of its legitimate owners, and to cause economic damage to the competitors in Europe and the Far east, especially Japan, which is the major consumer of region’s oil.

Division of the land of the two holiest sites, and annexing of the northern part of it by Israel. Dividing the land of the two holiest sites is essential to the Jewish-Crusader alliance. The existence of such a large country with its huge resources under the leadership of the forthcoming Islamic State, by Allah’s Grace, represents a serious threat to the very existence of the Jewish state in Palestine. Due to the fact that the land of the two holiest sites represents a symbol of unity of the Islamic world because the existence of the Ka’bah. Likewise land of the two holiest sites represents essential economic power in the Islamic world because it has the worlds largest oil reserve. People of the land of the two holiest sites have ties with their ancestors’ way of life, which they consider idealistic and forms the bases for restoring the glory of the nation, and continuing to spread the word of God. Moreover, there is a wealth of fighting Mujahideen available in Yemen ready to fight for God’s cause.

An internal war is a great mistake, no matter what the reasons are. The presence of the American occupation forces will control the outcome of the battle for the benefit of the International atheists.

I address now my brothers of the security and military forces and the national guards may Allah preserve you an asset for Islam and the Muslims:

O you protectors of unity and guardians of faith, O you descendants of the ancestors who carried the light of guidance and spread it all over the world. O you grandsons of S’ad Bin Abi Waqqas, al-Muthanna Bin Harithah al-Shibani, al-Qa’qa’ Bin Amr al-Tamimi and everyone who waged jihad with the Companions of the Prophet. You competed to join the army and the national guard forces with the intention to carry out Jihad for the sake of Allah “raising His exalted word” and to defend the faith of Islam and the land of the two holiest sites against the invaders and the occupying forces. But the regime overturned the balance, inverted the concepts, subdued the people, and disobeyed the religion. The nation did not recapture the first of the two kiblahs [Jerusalem], the route of the Prophet, [Peace and Prayers be upon him], even after the promises that the rulers affirmed half a century ago to recapture it. That generation has gone, new generation came, promises have changed, (AlAqsa Mosque) was handed over to the Jews. The nation’s wounds still bleed there since that time. Despite all this, and all of a sudden, the Saudi regime afflicted more pain on the people by allowing women of the Christian armies to defend them and allowed the crusaders to occupy the country.

The crusaders were permitted to be in the land of the two holiest sites. – Not surprisingly though, the King himself wore the cross-. The country was widely opened for the crusaders. The land was filled with American and allied military bases. The regime became unable to keep control without the help of these bases. You know more than anyone else about the size, intention and the danger of their presence in the area. The regime betrayed the country, and joined the infidels by assisting and helping them against the Muslims. It is not concealed from you that it was violation of Islam.

The King has violated the prophet’s command by allowing the crusaders to be in the Arab Peninsula. The Prophet said on his deathbed: (Expel the infidels from the Arabian Peninsula). He also said (If it should please God Almighty that I live, I will expel the Jews and the Christians from the Arabian Peninsula). It is out of date and no longer acceptable to claim that the presence of the crusaders is a necessity and only a temporary measure to protect the land of the two holiest sites, especially when the civil and military infrastructures of Iraq were savagely destroyed showing the depth of the Jewish-Crusaders’ hatred of the Muslims and their children, and the rejection of the idea of replacing the crusaders forces by an Islamic force composed of the sons of other Muslim countries. Moreover the bases for their claim of defending the country were wiped out by the numerous speeches given by the leaders of the infidels in America. William Perry, the Defense Secretary, gave the latest of these speeches to the American Army, after the explosion in Al-Khobar; saying that: “The presence of the American troops there was to protect the interests of America”. Sheikh Safar al-Hawali - may Allah hasten his release- wrote a book of seventy pages; where he presented evidence and proof that the American presence in the Arabian Peninsula is a preplanned military occupation.

This claim is another ploy; the regime wants to deceive the Muslims the same way the Palestinian Mujahideen were deceived causing the loss of Al-Aqsa Mosque. That is when the Muslims in Palestine started their greatest jihad against the British occupation in 1354H, corresponding to 1936. Britain could not resist nor withstand their Jihad.

The British then realized that the only way to stop the armed Jihad in Palestine is through King Abd-al-Aziz, who could easily deceive the Mujahideen. King Abd-al-Aziz carried out his mission by sending his two sons who met with the Mujahideen leadership in Palestine, and conveyed the King’s guarantees of the British government’s promises that they will leave if they stopped the Jihad and that they will also comply with their demands. So the King was the cause of losing Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem. He backed up the Christians against the Muslims, and instead of adopting the Al-Aqsa cause and supporting the Mujahideen to liberate it, he betrayed them. Today his son King Fahd tries to deceive the Muslims as well, so they can lose what is left of the sacred places. He lied to the scholars, who gave [Fatwa] to allow the Americans to be there, as well as great number of scholars and Islamic world leaders in al-Rabitah convention in Mecca. After the Islamic world condemned the presence of the Crusaders in the land of the two holiest sites, The King said that: “the issue is simple, the American and their allied forces will leave in few months”.

Today it has been seven years since their arrival, and the regime is unable expel them out of the country. The regime did not confess its inability to do so and kept on lying to the people claiming that the Americans will leave, but no one believed it because a believer will not be bitten twice by the same snake, and a fortunate person is the one who takes heeds to other peoples’ warnings.

To make things worse, and instead of having the army, the national guards and the security forces confront the occupiers the regime forced them to be their protectors. There is no power and no strength save in God. We mention these few men from the army, police and security forces that are being humiliated and mistreated by the regime who pressure them to infringe upon the Muslim’s rights. (Prophetic traditions were quoted): [Anyone who follows and believes in me, have the right and blessings to participate in war] other quotes also mentioned.

Today your brothers and sons from the two holiest sites started the jihad for the sake of God to expel the occupying enemy from the land of the two holiest sites. There is no doubt that you wish to carry on this task; to restore the glory for the country and to liberate its occupied sacred places. Nevertheless, it must be obvious to you that, due to the imbalance of power between our armed forces and the enemy forces a suitable means of fighting must be adopted, such as using fast moving forces operating in total secrecy. In other words to initiate guerilla warfare, were the sons of the nation, and not the military forces, take part in it. As you know, it is wise at this stage to exclude the armed forces from a traditional warfare with the Crusader enemy forces, except for daring and intensive operations, which can be executed by some members of the armed forces, meaning, without the interference of regular forces with its traditional formation.

The Mujahideen, your brothers and sons, request that you support them in every possible way by supplying them with the necessary information, material and arms. Security forces are especially asked to cover up for the Mujahideen and to assist them as much as possible against the occupying enemy and to spread rumors, fear and discouragement among members of the enemy forces. We warn you that the regime might plot against members of the armed forces, national guard and security men, and try to frame the Mujahideen by spreading lies and create dissention among them.

The regime is fully responsible for what has been happening to this country. However the occupying American enemy is the principal cause of this situation. Therefore efforts should be concentrated on destroying, fighting and killing the enemy until, by the Grace of Allah, it is completely defeated. This will happen, -by the Grace of Allah-, when you do your part and put an end to the occupation so that the word of God becomes superior and the word of the infidels becomes inferior. You will hit with an iron fist against the aggressors; you will reestablish the normal course, and give the people their rights and carry out your truly Islamic duty. We will have a separate talk regarding these issues.

To my Muslim brothers every where and specifically in the Arabian Peninsula: The money you pay to buy American goods are transformed into bullets and used against our brothers in Palestine, and tomorrow; against our sons in the land of the two Holiest sites. By buying these goods we are strengthening their economy while our disposition and poverty increase.

My Muslim brothers of the land of the two holiest sites: Does it make sense that our country is the largest buyer of arms from America and the area’s biggest commercial partner of America, [who are occupying the land of the two holiest sites], and are assisting their Jewish brothers in occupying Palestine, and in evicting and killing the Muslims there, by providing them with financial aid, arms and men. To deny these occupiers from the enormous revenues of their trading with our country will help our Jihad war against them. It is an important moral expression to show our anger and hatred towards them. By doing that we would have contributed towards purging our sacred places from the Jews and Christians, and forcing them to leave our lands conquered and defeated, [Allah willing].

We expect the women in the land of the two holiest sites and other places to do their part by boycotting American goods. The combination of the economic sanctions and the Mujahideen military attacks will help defeating the enemy, [Allah willing]. The reverse is correct... If the Muslims did not cooperate with their Mujahideen brothers and support them by boycotting trade with the American enemy, they would be helping and supporting them with their money, which is essential in any war, and which could prolong the war and make it harder on the Muslims.

All the security and intelligence services in the world cannot force any citizen to buy goods from the enemy. Economic boycott of the American enemy goods is a very effective weapon that would weaken and harm it, and it is not a weapon that will be exposed to repression, Before I close, I have a very important message to the Muslim youths, men of the bright future of Muhammad’s nation, [Allah’s Blessings and Prayers be upon him]. My conversation with the youth is about their duty during this critical period of our nation’s history; only the young [may Allah keep them] came forward to carry out their duty during this period. Some were hesitant to defend and protect Islam, and to save themselves and their wealth from the injustice, oppression, repression and terrorism that is carried out by the regime who used the media to mislead the people and conceal the truth. The youth [may Allah keep them] came to carry the banner of jihad high against the American-Jewish alliance that occupied the Islamic holy places, - some came out of fear from the tyranny of the regime, or stumbled as a result of greediness in an evanescent world.

They proceeded to cast the legitimacy on this high treason and great misfortune of the occupation of the land of the two Holiest sites; there is no power and no strength save by God-.

No wonder Muhammad’s companions were all young, and these young people are the best successors for the best ancestors.

{Many Prophetic traditions are quoted here}

Few days ago the news agencies had reported that the Defense Secretary of the Crusading Americans saying, “the explosion in Riyadh and Al-Khobar had taught him one lesson, and that is not to withdraw when attacked by cowardly terrorist”. We say to the Defense Secretary that his talk can induce a grieving mother to laughter, and shows the fears that had enshrined you all. Where was this false courage of yours when the explosions in Beirut took place in (1403H), 1983. You were turned into scattered bits and pieces and in all directions. [At that time 241 soldiers, mainly marines were killed]. And where was this false courage of yours when two explosions made you leave Aden in less than 24 hours? But your most disgraceful case was in Somalia, where after vigorous propaganda that lasted few months, regarding the power of America and its post cold war leadership of the new world order; you moved tens of thousands of international force, including twenty eight thousand American soldiers into Somalia. However, when dozens of your troops were killed in minor battles, and one American pilot was dragged in the streets of Mogadishu, you left the area defeated, carrying your dead in disappointment and humiliation.

Clinton appeared in front of the whole world threatening and promising revenge. But these threats were merely a preparation for withdrawal. God has dishonored you when you withdrew, and it clearly showed your weaknesses and powerlessness. It was a pleasure for the heart of every Muslim and a remedy to the chests of faithful nations to see your defeat in these three Islamic cities of [Beirut, Aden and Mogadishu].

I say: the sons of the land of the two holiest sites had come out to fight against the Russians in Afghanistan, the Serbs in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and today they are fighting in Chechnya. Allah granted them victory and He came to their aid. They have been made victorious over your allies, the Russians. By the Grace of God they are also fighting in Tajikistan... I say, “ If sons of the two holiest sites are aware of and have faith in the necessity of jihad against the infidels every where, then they are stronger, more zealous and more enthusiastic to defend their country where they were born, and defend its greatest shrine, the Ka’bah. They also know that Muslims around the world will come to their aid and help them in their cause. The duty and cause of all Muslims is liberating their sacred places”.

[Addressing Defense Secretary William]

“The youths you called cowards are competing among themselves for fighting and killing you. They love death as much as you like life; they inherited honor, generosity, truthfulness, courage, and sacrifice from generation to generation. They inherited these characteristics from their ancestors in the pre-Islamic times and were acknowledged and confirmed in Islam. The Prophet said: “ I was sent to complete and carry out these righteous morals.”

{Prophetic traditions, Koranic verses and poems are quoted}

These youths strongly believe in paradise after death.

Almighty Allah said: {Nor can a soul die except by Allah’s leave, the term being fixed as by writing} [Al’Imran: 145]. {But those who are slain in the way of Allah – He will never let their deeds be lost. Soon will He guide them and improve their condition, and admit them to the Garden which He has promissed for them} [Muhammad: 4-6]. {And say not of those who are slain in the way of Allah:” They are dead.” Nay, they are living, though ye perceive (it) not} [Al Baqarah: 154]. {Fight them, and Allah will punish them by your hands, cover them with shame, help you (to victory) over them, heal the breasts of Believers} [Al Tawbah: 14]. {Therefore when ye meet the Unbelievers (in fight) smite at their necks} Muhammad: 4] {More Prophetic traditions and poems}

For more than a decade, they carried arms on their shoulders in Afghanistan and made vows to Allah; that as long as they are alive, they will continue to carry arms against you, until you are expelled, defeated and humiliated –Allah willing-. They will carry on as long as they live. So to abuse the grandsons of the Companions of the Prophet, by calling them cowards and challenging them by refusing to leave the land of the two Holiest site shows the imbalance and insanity you are suffering from. “I am willing to sacrifice self and wealth for knights who never disappointed me. Knights who are never fed up or deterred by death, even if the mill of war turns.” “In the heat of battle they do not care, and cure the insanity of the enemy by their insane courage.”

Terrorizing you, while you are carrying arms on our land, is legitimate, reasonable and morally demanded duty. It is also a rightful act well known to all humans and all creatures. Your example and our example are like a snake that entered into a house of a man and got killed by him. The coward is the one who lets you roam freely and safely while carrying arms in his country. Those youths are different from your soldiers; your problem is how to convince your soldiers to be daring and fight. While our problem will be how to restrain our youths from waiting for their turn to fight.

These young men deserve all the praise and commendation. Wherein they have stood to aid the faith, at a time when the regime misled the prominent people, and issued religiously baseless Fatwas and turned over Al-Aqsa Mosque to the Jews and allowed the Christian army to enter the land of the two Holiest sits.

{More poems and Prophetic traditions}

The youth hold you responsible for all the killings, evictions, and displacements of the Muslims and the violation of their sacred places which were carried out by your Jewish brothers in Palestine using moneys and arms you supplied them with. More than six thousand Iraqi children have died due to lack of food and medicine as a result of your unjustifiable and aggressive sanctions imposed on Iraq. and its nation.

Iraqi children are our children. You (America), together with the Saudi regime are responsible for the shedding of the blood of these innocent children. All of that makes every treaty we have with you null and void.

The Prophet, Peace and Prayers be upon him, considered [al-Hudaybah] treaty null and void, when Quraysh aided Bani Bakr against the prophet’s allies. He fought Quraysh and conquered Makkah. He also considered the treaty with Bani Quinqa’ null and void, when a Jewish man harmed a Muslim woman. Let alone killing hundreds of thousands of Muslims, and desecrating their sacred sites. Therefore blood of the American enemy troops occupying the Muslim lands is lawful. It’s the duty of every tribe in the Arabian Peninsula to fight for the sake of Allah, and purge its land from those occupiers.

Almighty Allah said: {But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the Pagans wherever ye find them, and seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war)} [Al Tawbah: 5].

The youth know that the disgrace and shame that afflicted the Muslims, by occupying their sacred places, would not be removed except by Jihad and explosives.

{More poems regarding Jihad and infidels}

I tell the Islamic youth of the world who fought in Afghanistan, Bosnia-Herzegovina with their money, lives, tongues and pens that the battle has not yet ended. Remind them of the conversation between Gabriel and the prophet, after al-Ahzab campaign. (When the Messenger of Allah has left for Madinah, he put down his weapon, Gabriel then said: Did you put down the weapon? The angels have not put theirs down yet; get up with your people to Bani Quraythah, I will walk in front of you to shake down their stronghold, and spread fear in their hearts.

These young people know, that he who is not killed for the cause of God will be considered as dead. The most honorable death is to die for the sake of God; like those four heroes who set off the explosives that killed the Americans in Riyadh. Those men disgraced the American occupiers by their courageous acts.

[More hearty poems and Prophetic traditions]

As for our mothers, sisters, women and daughters, they follow in the steps of their ancestors’ - Companions of the Prophet-. They adopted their courage and self-sacrifice, encouraged their sons, brothers and husbands to fight for God and go for jihad in such places like Afghanistan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Chechnya and others...

We ask God to grant them their wishes and dispel their worries, comfort their sons, fathers, husbands and brothers, increase their faith, strengthen and secure their path, the path of sacrifice, so the word of God would be exalted. Our women only eulegize men who fight for the sake of God.

[More poetry]

My Muslim Brothers of the world: Your brothers in land of the two holiest sites and Palestine are calling upon you for help and asking you to take part in fighting against the enemy, your enemy; the Israelis and Americans. They are asking you to do whatever you can within one’s own means and ability, to expel the humiliate and defeat the enemy out of the sanctities of Islam. Almighty Allah said: {But if they seek your aid in religion, it is your duty to help them} [Al Anfal: 72].

You should know that your gathering and cooperation to liberate the sanctities of Islam is the right step to join forces under the banner of unity. We cannot but raise our hands in prayers, asking God to grant us wisdom and success in this matter.

O God, the faithful Islamic scholars, and the nation’s righteous youths have been taken in captivity.
O God, dispel their worries, give them comfort and strength.
O God, people of the cross [Christians] came with their men and arms and desecrated the land of the two holiest sites. The Jews are spreading and causing havoc in Al-Aqsa Mosque, [route of the Prophet].
O God, dispel them, divide them, shake the ground under their feet.
O God, place them under your immolation, and protect and deliver us from their evil.
O God, punish them and show them your great power.
O God, defeat them and grant us victory.
O God, you are our refuge and strength, you are our helper, and with you we fight. Sufficient unto us is God, how good a trustee.
O God, those young men came to defend your faith and raise your banner high, O God, help and support them.
O God, give the Muslim youths strength and guide them.
O God, make peace between them and unite them, give us steadfastness and patience, strength and aid us to conquer the unbelievers.
O God, do not burden us with heavy laden that we cannot bear, like you gave our ancestors.
Forgive and have mercy on us, you are our God, aid us to conquer the unbelievers.
O God, guide us so that we can be strong and degrade the unbelievers, bestow kindness upon usand put an end to the forbidden.
O God, pray for your servant and Messenger Muhammad, his family and followers.
Finally, Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the Worlds.

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